Confession and reassurance.

[Dempsey1919]

I'm still struggling with reassurance, I keep on telling my mother personal things,then I think of a new worry. The guilt is over bearing and I don't know what to do.

[Sunset_21]

I have learned to say "maybe, maybe not" to my intrusive thoughts. Maybe I did do wrong, maybe I didn't. Thinking this way helps the brain to know that the intrusive thought or what you're confessing about isn't important enough for the amount of attention your brain is giving it. I learned this from Nathan Peterson's youtube channel about OCD and anxiety. I recommend his videos. I hope this helps.

[TrueBlue23]

Sorry you're struggling with this. I struggle with this too. It comes and goes with me but tends to be worse for me when I'm tired or stressed. I've read a lot of helpful posts and articles online which have helped me understand it a bit better. Have a read of this one. Hope it helps! ocdspecialists.com/real-eve...

[Mcfly64]

I struggle with this as well. Are you seeing a therapist?

[Dempsey1919]

A long wait about 18 months for erp,I'm awaiting to review tablets,thats a couple of months aswel. My mother is 75 she don't need this. Everyone's done things they not proud of ,I shouldn't feel guilty for things that happened twenty years ago,I don't know why I'm obsessing on this stuff,ain't thought of it till now. I shouldn't feel guilty for life. I have a fear what everyone thinks of me mot just my mother. I don't want disappoint her ans there's some things you just don't tell your mother. I hate this feeling. She's trying to stop my reassurance seeking as she knows uts another compulsion.

[3BirdLover]

I can wholeheartedly relate to this. My poor husband went through this with me and it is very hard to deal with. Now 5 years later, all is well. I had to change meds, but also learn a LOT of OCD tools I could use when these things come to mind.

Using "maybe, maybe not" is very helpful as another person has mentioned. It takes a lot of practice but you can do it!!! OCD tried to make me panic and I had to get rid of the terrible feeling of guilt immediately, but I had to learn to slow down, not do anything right away, calm myself down with some mindfulness tools, and live in the uncertainty.

It's hard. I know! But I found out if I keep acting and confessing things that crossed my mind, it just got worse and worse and worse. More worries, more anxiety, more confessions that gave me maybe a second of calm, then it starts all over again. Sunset_21 is right.

THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS are NOT FACTS. This is a big one. Just because OCD gives you that huge panic does NOT mean it's true!!! OCD is a big bully!

More than once or twice I have had get angry at my OCD and just tell it to blow off! Kick it to the curb!!! Do not accept it. It's a fleeting thought.

Please learn some coping skills that will help you to stop the confession and reassurance seeking. It will help you immensely. Stress will cause this also .

[Dempsey1919 in reply to 3BirdLover]

Wow thank you, that's great advice. Thanks .

[SCC1 in reply to 3BirdLover]

Hi 3BirdLover. I do not experience this type of OCD, but I just wanted to say, that your response is very well-worded and is very understandable. For those having this problem, I think they will get a lot out of what you have said. ☺👍 So, thank you!

[Ozarker83]

This is how my ocd started as a child and has continued with me off and on for 30 plus years. Good advice here as well as more info on YouTube. The most important thing to overcoming it is the hardest, you MUST NOT give in to the COMPULSION to confess. You must wait for the anxiety of the thought to fade and try not to give any thought or attention to the thought. The thought isn’t special even if you confess it. There will just be more and more thoughts. And the relief from the confession will reduce overtime. Be strong your not alone it will get better.